Inova Mount Vernon Hospital isn’t going anywhere. That was the message hospital Chief Executive Officer Deborah Addo had for local business leaders at the Dec. 10 breakfast sponsored by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce at Belle Haven Country Club.

Addo referenced the threat of the hospital closing about a decade ago. “I’m here to say I’m glad that didn’t happen,” she said. “We’re here to stay. Any doubt about the future, put it to rest, you’re in good hands. We have the support of Inova services and seasoned leaders.”

The hospital leader touted their award-winning services, including recently receiving an elite “A” ranking from the Leapfrog Group, a national hospital patient safety organization. But as Mount Vernon approaches 40 years old in October 2016, Addo said the facilities have been falling behind the level of treatment.

“It’s like a woman who’s turned 40,” she said, “and looked back and said, ‘What happened?’ There are places we’re doing a little cosmetic work, some augmentations and enhancements.”

Those enhancements include expanding existing operating rooms, the new Mark and Brenda Moore Patient Tower (a donation from a former patient) and a renovated patient and visitor lobby.

Addo introduced Senior Project Manager for Design and Construction with the Inova Facilities Management Department Lee Barton to talk about an entirely new Emergency Department that’s expected to be operational for employee training by December 2016.

“It’s affording us the space we need, the facilities to catch up to the service,” Barton said.

The new department is being funded largely by Jeffrey Veatch, an entrepreneur from the Mount Vernon area, who’s committed a $2 million lead matching gift toward the new construction. Addo said the hospital has raised more than $800,000 towards a goal of a matching $2 million.

“Mr. Veatch has given us a wonderful opportunity with the matching gift,” said Karen Corbett Sanders, who was recently elected to the Fairfax County School Board to represent the Mount Vernon district. She spoke during a question and answer session at the breakfast but addressed the members of the business community and potential donors. “We need to take advantage of those resources.”

Addo said local business owners are among the groups they’re reaching out to for donations to the new emergency department. Others include “friends, supporters, grateful patients and other donors.”

Holly Dougherty, executive director of the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, said the possible closing of the hospital years ago “was a huge crisis to the community.” But seeing Addo’s presentation, she said, “means a lot to the community, knowing Inova is making a big investment.”